Spray head for boiler-washing machine



1,625,851 April 26, 1927. D A. HEGARTY SPRAY HEAD FOR BOILER WASHINGMACHINES Filed Sept. 27. 1926' Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT QRFICE.

DANIEL A. HEGARTY, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO MYSTIC WASHER COMPANY,OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.

SPRAY HEAD FOB BOILER-WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed September 27, 19536.

My invention relates to wash boilers in which boiling water iscirculated in the machine for spraying upon the clothes which are to bewashed.

In the use of wash boilers, the efficiency of the machine dependslargely upon the force with which the boiling water is projected uponthe clothes to be washed and also upon the saving of the energy of thesteam within the boiler so that it may be employed effectively incirculating the water against and through the articles in the wash.

It is an object of the invention to provide a spray head for the waterand steam, which is employed in cleaning the clothes, which willconserve the heat within the boiler so that the operation of the devicemay be accelerated and the time consumed in bringing the machine intooperation may be reduced to a minimum.

It is also desired that the openings through which the boiling water isprojected upon the clothe in the wash be formed 1n such manner as toprevent the clogging thereof and with which the pressure valve maycooperate to free the openings of coagulated material.

Further objects and advantages of the machine will more clearly appearin the more detailed description which follows:

Referring to the drawing herewith, Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectionthrough a wash boiler equipped with my improved spray head. Fig. 2 is acentral vertical section of the .spray head on an enlarged scale showingone embodiment of the valve which may be employed therewith. Fig. 3 is abottom plan view of the spray head shown in Fig. 2. Figs. -1; apd 5 aresections similar to that shown in Fig. 2. each illustrating a slightlydifferent embodiment of the invention from that disclosed in Fig. 2.Like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts in allthe views In carrying out my invention, it is to be understood that thespray head may be adapted for use in various forms of clothes washingmachines. I have illustrated it, however, as applied to a boiler ofgenerally circular shape, the sides 1 of which are flared toward theupper end. A cover 2 is provided adapted to fit tightly over the upperend of the container and a handle 3, preferably of some poor heatconducting material, is shown through which the cover may he ma SerialNo. 137,937.

nipulated. A lateral tap or faucet 4 at the lower end allows thedraining of the Water from the container.

lVithin the container and resting on the bottom thereof is a conicalpressure chamber The outer edge of thi chamber is turned downwardly tofit loosely against the walls of the container, and spaced openings 6 atthe lower edge allows the circulation of liquid inwardly around theouter side and upwardly within the chamber. The upper end of thepressure chambers terminates in a nipple 7 which extends above the levelof the chamber and provides an attachment for the circulating column 8.

The column 8 is a tubular member tapered from its lower toward its upperend and providing through its converging walls a passage in which therate of flow of the liquid therein may be increased toward the upperend. Below the circulating column I show a false bottom 9 fittingclosely about the nipple 7 on the pressure chamber and supportedcentrally thereon. Its outer margin is supported by brackets 10 arrangedupon the side of the container. This bottom is perforated to allow thefree circulation therethrough of the liquid. It serves as a support forthe clothes and prevents them from coming into contact with the bottomof the boiler to prevent accidental burning.

At the upper end of the circulating column 8 is the spray head having alower neck 11 telescoping over the upper end of the circulating column.The spray head flares outwardly above the neck 11 to form the spray wall12. Above this flaring wall the spray member is extended to provide acylindrical portion 13 adapted to receive a cover 14; which may be heldfrictionally in place by close contact with the wall 13 or may beretained in position in any desired manner.

At the upper end of the neck 11 a seat 15 is provided in which a valvemember 16 may seat. Above this seat the wall 12 is perforated to allowthe water to be sprayed therefrom over the clothes. The spray openingswhich I employ are shown at 17 and it will be noted that said openingscomprise slots arranged concentrically around the wall 12 and allow thewater to be sprayed therethrough in sheets over the clothes. This typeof opening is particularly desirable from the fact that it may be madenarrow so that the force of the water will carry any obstruction, suchas soap or coagulated material, in the water throughthe openings. Shouldany portion of the slot he filled up with material, hoiveuer, there isstill sutilcient opening remaining to provide an outlet for the liquid.

Furthermore, the aise ot the valve 16 within the spray head causes acontact of the Valve With the inner Wall of the head. The pressure ofthe steam and the ehullition of the Water causes the xiii-lye to heagitated withi-nitl'ie head so that it contacts repeatedly With theinner Wall of the spray area, the-us tending to assist inmentioningmaterials tendting .to close theopeningg l7.

Fig. 2, I have shown a :hall valve closingrrthe lower end of the sprayhead. 'ilhls typeofvalvezhasthe aclnantageiot closing the upperiendot-the columnfi so that the heat from the-Water in the pressure chamberwill not he allowed to escape into the upper part of lthe'hoiler andwill to accelerate the heating cat the .WZttGI to the boilingtemperature itoa ana-nkcd extent. fil 'hen the pressure of the Water inthe pressure chamber and the column-8 has become great enough .to liftthe value 16 from its position at the lower end cit the spray head, thesteam will cause the Water to be projected with some force through theopenings 1"? and the Washing may thus he initiated some minutes in ad-Vance of the time which would ordinarily be consumed it the :valrenoteinployed.

In Fig. i, the valve 16" is made in the shape of an inverted cone, theapex oi which is rounded off, as shown at 18. The conical side walls,therefore, interfit closely with the inner Nfl ll 1201f the spray headand etleetii 'e- Lly close all of these openings. The upper well o f thevalve IHQIHlC-Gl '16 may be curved upwardly, as shown at 19. As will henoted, the valve members are made out ho l low sheet metal and aretherefore comparatively light, but they will resist the escape of heatfrom the 601 1 1 1114), until the steam pressure has accumulatedsutliciently to raise thci-n from closed-position. 'lll he action of thevalve '16 will he slightly diitl'erent from that of the valve 16, due tothe t t that the outer Wall of the valve 1 6 will form a constrictelpassage for the boiling Water and will serve mere etlec-tively to ft n apre ure chamber in which the steam will project the boiling water withforce in a downwardly inclined direction against the clothes in the hot1 in Fig. the valve 16 is modified slightly over the construction shownin Fig. 4', in that the side Walls of the valve are curved inwardly awayfrom the Wall I 2 of the pres sure chamber, the upper end being,howeyer, flared outwardly to contact at 20 with the upper edge of theWall 12. In the use of this device, the raising of the valve 16 willallow the boiling 'l'i quid to enter more readily into the spray headand find an exit through the slotted openings L7. The Wall of the e willact to deflect the r ,tcr toward the o irings and will have the effectof produc nga spray otsome l'orce jiron'i the openings. i

The employment of a spray head of the type here shown and described willenable the operator of the washer to bring the Water to a boi lingtemperature and to hence bring the spraying of the boiling Water intoaction app reciahly quicker in point of time than could :po ily he .doneWithout the useioztthera lve nie. iher employed. Not only is there aIsaving in time but the use of the valve serwes to [direct the boilingwater laterally [from the openings in a most effective manner.Furthermore, the use of the valve contacting with the inner malls of thespray head, :particui r 'ly the hall-waned valve shown in Fig. 4,-wi11assist in keeping the openings tree of material otherwise tending toclog them and prevent their spraying action. The further advantagesifithis inxiention he apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new and desire to protect :by Letters Patent is:

'1. In a wash boiler a container, .a pres sure chamber therein, ;acirculating column thereon a spray head on said column :comprising anoutwardly flaring wall having slotted openings therein through Which:Wash water may pass, :a closure for the upper [end osf aid head, andmeans Within said head to 1, st said Wash water in clearing saidvopenions of material In a wash ihoiiler a container, a pressure chambertherein, a circulating column there- ,on, a spray head on said columncomprising an outwardly flaring wall having slotted openings therein, .aclosure for the upper end of said read, and a Maine in said head tendingto :QilObC said head against the escape .of ttuid, and adapted to hemoved by thefluid pressure to contact with the sides of said head, torthe purpose described.

3. In a avash. loilc-r a container, a pressure chamber therein, anupwardly tapered circu h, J0 m l luinn on said chamber, an outward I 7pray h d thereon haying o enings in its side 1Y3ll,.111 1l means tonormally close the upper end of sa i unin, hut movable :hy tluidpressure to to r111 a bathe .to direct fluid toward said openings. at.In a wash hoiler a container, a pressure chamber therein, an upW-amdlytapered crculating COlH Ulll on said chaniiher, can .ou-tmvardly flaringspray head thereon having slotted openings in its side Walls, and asheet metal mil-ye member acting to sea t Wl'hllil] the lower end oisaid head, said valve when raised be ing spaced trons the Walls of saidhead to direct the fluid toward said openings.

in a ash boiler an upwardly extendingcirculating column, a spray headthere on having outwardly flaring Walls with dis-- charge openingstherein, a cylindrical upper end on said head, a valve shaped toapproximately fit the inner Walls of said head, and adapted when liftedto expose said openings and direct the fluid thereto.

6. In a Wash boiler an upwardly directed circulating column, a flaringspray head thereon having discharge openings therein, and means to closesaid openings responsive to fluid pressure in said column to open andallow discharge of fluid.

7. In a wash boiler a circulating column, a spray head thereon havingdischarge openings therein, and a valve closing said openings, butadapted to be raised to expose said openings under a required fluidpressure in said column.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this s3rd day ofSeptember A. D. 1926.

DANIEL A. HEGARTY.

